Boot Bale, he can't run without legs! Scottish enforcer Brown calls for Strachan's men to get tough with Wales winger

Former Rangers hard man John Brown has stoked the fire ahead of Scotland's clash with Wales by urging Gordon Strachan's players to kick Gareth Bale.

Bale ripped Scotland apart in Cardiff last October and looks set to shake off an ankle injury in time for Friday's return at Hampden.

The Tottenham winger scored twice as the Welshmen won 2-1 and Brown, the Dundee manager, believes roughing him up is the only way to stop him.

Two hot to handle: Gareth Bale scored twice for Wales as they beat Scotland in Cardiff last October

Bale force: The Scotland players could not handle the Wales winger on a terrible night at Cardiff City Stadium

'With the pace that he's got and the close control... he can't run without legs,' Brown told BBC Radio Scotland. 'I'm sure it'll be passed around the squad. Get close to him and don't give him time and space.'

Brown's comments angered fans and he was forced to deny saying the Scots should try to 'hurt' Bale. But when quizzed again on whether that was what he was implying, Brown, nicknamed Bomber during his playing days, said: 'It might have been.'

Scotland, with Gordon Strachan taking charge of his first competitive match this weekend, remain winless in World Cup qualifying Group A with just two points from four games after blowing a golden chance of victory at Cardiff City Stadium.

Point made: John Brown says Scotland need to pay special attention to Gareth Bale in order to beat Wales

They led through James Morrison's first-half strike but Bale levelled with a penalty he won himself with nine minutes to go and sealed the comeback with a last-gasp screamer into the top corner.

Brown added: 'One player in the Wales team won the game that night; cancel him out and the Welsh team are average.

'I watched the game down there and the difference was Gareth Bale, when you give him time and space to run with the ball and strike it with his strong foot from 30 yards.

No nonsense: Brown (left) had a reputation as a hard man when he played in defence for Rangers

'Scott Brown was taken off, Charlie Adam came on and he never did a job on him.

'Your midfield, you get them tight, make sure your defence is compact and you make sure you're losing all the space for him.

'Gordon Strachan will know what he's doing. If he can nullify Bale I think the Welsh team are average.'

Brown played for Rangers from 1988 until 1997 and also coached the
youth team and reserves. He has been manager of Dundee since February
this year.